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Friday, January 9, 2009

GIVING YOUR BRIDESMAIDS SOME ROOM FOR EXPRESSION

Bridesmaids step-halting down the aisle in matchy-matchy dresses are almost as passe as those identically dressed women on Lawrence Welk ( read: almost. Lawrence is in rerun mode lately and brides are still ordering cookie cutter gems in quadruplicate). Giving your ladies a color or monochromatic scheme to work with has proven a great way to keep everyone cohesive yet individual. And happy. Do you realize how many pissed off bridesmaids I've seen in my twenty-odd years of dressing brides? Not everyone looks good in dropped waists. Or mini skirts. Or portrait collars. Think about this simple premise: if she looks like herself she's more likely to relax and feel good. Giving your party more leeway also lets each express herself with her own personal touch. Face it, no stylist or fashion artist can really put your friend's trademark on like she can. And every woman has some personal thing about her that makes her unique like wearing barrettes in her hair; showing off long legs or going a little Goth.

My best advise on this is to give everyone clear guidelines about color and the type silhouette you want. After that chill out and realize you can probably trust your friend's judgement. Those shoes she likes so much that make her unique probably will look great in satin.

Above is an actual case in point. A real wedding. Katie's bridesmaids chose their own styles of tangerine or strawberry-colored dresses. Her sister, the maid of honor, wore an ivory bolero to stand out.

Another way to keep everyone linked is to purchase a fabric you love in bulk (enough for all your maids). Have them all go to the same designer or tailor to have a dress made up. Though you'll have different styles, maybe some with cap sleeves and others sleeveless, it's okay because the fabric will be the factor joining everyone together.Don't want to bother with tailors and fitting appointments? Well, if you can believe it, the quartet above are all wearing the same dress. I didn't believe it until I studied out the Two Birdwebsite. The designer offers 11 colors and each dress in the collection can be worn ten different ways. Wowzer! This is one of the best solutions to the bridesmaid dress dilemma I've seen yet. Kinda like the best thing since sliced bread.

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About Me

I initially created this space for my clients. Eventually brides looking for that touch of wow found their way here. Draping and playing with fabric started some twenty years back when I did a three-year stint as a bridal fabrics buyer. After that I opened Bridal Alternatives, a custom design studio and ever since have had the opportunity of working with brides who want that extraordinary one-of-a-kind dress. I'm in love with fashion history and re-invention of the past.
Other connections to fashion? I’ve been a columnist for San Francisco Art and Fashion News and have a weekly fashion buzz on One Wed Blog. I founded The Design Project of San Francisco, a networking organization of fashion professionals collaborating their skills and talents on projects. I’m currently working on a book called—you guessed it—'Bride Chic', all about that white gown and very special designer/client relationship. I live with my husband Edgar and Chihuahua Piccalina in Marin County California.
Want to see more of what I do? Check out my site at www.amyjotatum.com or call me 415.336.3480

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DISCLAIMER

Please note some images on Bride Chic are photos from previous shoots and editorials of my collection pieces. Since I do admire other designers work, I’ve also added from online sources to share a different perspective. There’s no profit from the display of these photos -- they are being shown for the informational and educational benefit of brides and aficionados of bridal fashion. I always list my source, providing a link back. If you feel an image here violates your intellectual property and/or copyrights, please email your concerns to me (amyjotatum@gmail.com) and I will gladly remove the photos in question. Thank you!

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